The Palisades nuclear reactor in Covert Twp. is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. | Lucy Valeski
A decommissioned nuclear plant in Covert, Mich. is one step closer to reopening after federal regulators on Thursday gave the okay to several requests tied to the plant’s operating license, marking the first time a shuttered nuclear plant in the U.S. has received permission to resume operations.
While the Palisades Nuclear Plant closed in May 2022, the facility has been cleared to bring in new fuel and transition its operators to on-shift status. According to the plant’s owner, Holtec International, the facility will generate more than 800 megawatts of carbon-free energy, enough to power more than 800,000 households.
“This is a proud and historic moment for our team, for Michigan, and for the United States,” Holtec International President Kelly Trice said in a statement. “The [Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s] approval to transition Palisades back to an operating license represents an unprecedented milestone in U.S. nuclear energy. Our mission remains clear: to restart Palisades safely, securely, reliably, and in support of America’s energy future – while supporting local jobs and economic growth for decades to come.”
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Restarting the power plant has been a key priority for politicians on both sides of the aisle at both the state and federal level, with the Trump administration recently disbursing the fourth payment in a $1.5 billion loan for the restart announced under former President Joe Biden. However, the project is not without its detractors.
Kevin Kamps of the anti-nuclear advocacy group Beyond Nuclear argued the plant is not a done deal, with the group planning to appeal against the final approval of three license amendment requests in federal court.
Residents living near the plant have also raised health concerns, with one study finding residents living near the plant are five times more likely to develop thyroid cancer compared to the lifetime potential of the rest of the nation.
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